Pulau Weh · Indonesia · Pinnacle
Batee Tokong
A hundred morays in the rock, sharks on the 24 m plateau
Area photo: Pavel Kirillov · CC BY-SA 2.0
Batee Tokong is a large pinnacle about ten minutes by boat from Gapang Beach, dived for its diverse topography and the amount of fish that works it. The list runs from schooling devil rays and barracuda to a hundred moray eels of several types in the rock. On the north side, the Shark Plateau at 24 metres is where the reef sharks hold, and the operator rates that dive advanced only, Nitrox recommended.
Also known as Tokong.
Where it is and how deep
No published position for this site — the map shows Pulau Weh and its other sites; operators know the mooring.
The dive
The boat run from Gapang Beach is about ten minutes. Batee Tokong is a very large dive site with a diverse topography, so the guide sets the plan around one section of the rock rather than trying to lap the whole pinnacle, and which section that is gets settled on the day rather than in advance. The operator's pitch for it is a chance to see everything, and the section you are dropped on is what decides how much of that everything you get.
Once you are down it is hard to know which way to look. Schooling devil rays, whitetip and blacktip sharks, schools of barracuda, big tuna, eagle rays and hunting trevallies all work the site, so the blue side of the rock deserves as much attention as the reef side. Turn back to the rock and the operator promises a hundred moray eels of several different types, along with a plethora of macro for anyone diving with a camera rather than chasing the big stuff.
The north side carries the Shark Plateau, a shelf 24 metres deep where black and whitetip reef sharks are the regulars and the occasional grey reef shark turns up. The operator lists that plateau as an advanced-only dive and recommends Nitrox, which is what decides whether you get bottom time on it or simply pass over it on the way back up the pinnacle.
Marine life and season
- Reef sharks
- Mobula rays
- Eagle rays
- Barracuda
- Tuna
- Trevally & jacks
- Macro critters
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prime | Prime | Prime | Prime | Good | Fair | Fair | Fair | Good | Prime | Prime | Prime |
Season follows Pulau Weh: Oct–Apr is the settled season with the clearest water; June to September brings wind and swell that close the exposed pinnacles.
Know before you go
- The Shark Plateau on the north side is advanced-only diving at 24 metres with Nitrox recommended: plan the profile around it rather than following fish deeper on air.
Questions divers ask
How deep is Batee Tokong?+
The depth the operator publishes for it is the Shark Plateau on the north side, a shelf 24 metres down. No figure is published for the deeper parts of the pinnacle.
What certification do I need for Batee Tokong?+
The Shark Plateau on the north side is rated advanced only by the operator, with Nitrox recommended, so plan on an advanced certification if that part of the site is on the dive plan.
Sources
- Diving on Pulau Weh — Lumba Lumba Diving Centre
In The Logbook
- Where to dive in DecemberTrip planning · 10 min read
- Cheapest places to scuba dive, and the catchTrip planning · 15 min read
- Air, nitrox or trimix: which gas, and when?Gear & kit · 15 min read
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